Career Pathway: Accountancy

Black-eyed Susans are blooming outside the Haworth College of Business.

Career Pathway: Accountancy

If you've got a head for numbers, a major in accounting can provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary for a wide variety of interesting careers in the business, government, nonprofit organizations and public accounting. You will learn to analyze and solve problems, think critically, communicate effectively and use information technology. The accountancy major also provides an excellent foundation for careers in law and education.

Where do I start for a career pathway in accountancy?

Start by making an appointment with the Zhang Career Center, which can assist you in discovering your career interests and values. The accountancy industry includes employees who tend to be conventional and enterprising. They value achievement, independence and support according to . Find out if your work preferences match careers in accountancy by taking the Focus2 assessment.

What is accountancy?

What skills are accountancy employers seeking?

Technical skills are part of the proficiencies that are required for a job and may be developed in your major coursework. Accountancy-oriented technical skills desired are experience with QuickBooks, GAAP knowledge, fluency in Microsoft Excel, ERP experience (SAP, Oracle), knowledge of structured query language (SQL), data analytics and COGNOS.

Interpersonal skills enable you to succeed and are often developed outside of the classroom. Accountancy-oriented interpersonal skills include active listening, critical thinking, complex problem solving, systems analysis, public speaking, management and leadership experience, integrity, attention to detail and an analytical mindset.

What careers involve these accountancy skills?

How can I obtain an internship?

There are many different ways to acquire an internship, online or in person. Visiting the Internship Catalog and the Career Outcomes Report can help you learn about the companies that have previously employed accounting students.

is 51��’s employment website. All students should set up an account and publish a resume. Resumes made public by the student are searchable by employers.

Students use their Handshake accounts to view internship and full-time job opportunities posted by employers and sign up for on-campus interviews. For more information, visit the Zhang Career Center.

Student groups and supporting events at 51�� Haworth

Accountancy student groups include the Accounting Club, Beta Alpha Psi and National Association of Black Accountants. Other organizations include VITA Tax Counseling Initiative, Business Association of Mentors, DECA at 51��, Delta Sigma Pi, Leadership and Business Strategy, Phi Chi Theta and Women's Business Network.

Events supporting the accountancy major include the following:

Meet the Firms
Business Career Day

NACE Career Readiness Competencies

The Zhang Career Center at the Haworth College of Business empowers learners to launch successful business careers by engaging them in innovative programming focused on professional readiness, while developing partnerships with global, regional and local leaders who hire students. As pioneers in career readiness programs and experts in customer service, staff members in the career center strive to meet the needs of all students and employers.

Career readiness competencies include:

Career and self-development
Communication
Critical thinking
Equity and inclusion
Leadership
Professionalism
Teamwork
Technology

Visit the to learn more.

Tasks and processes in accountancy:

Accounts payable and receivable, balance sheets, billing cycles, client relationship management, commercial lending, cost of goods sold (COGS), dividend(s), financial statements, GAAP, inventory management, lending, markets, mergers and acquisitions, mutual fund(s), net worth, overhead, profit and loss statement (P&L), real estate, reconciliations, stock(s), tax accounting, underwriting, venture capital and more.

Careers in accountancy:

Financial Manager:

Banking center manager
Banking officer
Credit administration manager
Financial center manager
Service center manager

Cost estimation:

Acquisition cost estimator
Cost and risk analyst manager
Cost analyst
Cost consultant

Accounting:

Accountant
Accounting officer
Certified public accountant (CPA)
Cost accountant
Financial reporting accountant

Budget Analysis:

Analyst
Budget officer
Financial services officer
Management and budget analyst
Policy analyst
Staff analyst

Auditor:

Internal auditor
Audit partner
Revenue tax specialist
Assurance manager
Financial auditor
Audit manager

Controller:

Controller
Comptroller
Finance manager
Treasurer
Chief financial officer
Director of finance

Business Externship opportunities

The Business Externship Program provides career exploration opportunities that connect students in Western Michigan University's Haworth College of Business with mentors, many of whom are 51�� alumni. Current accountancy externship opportunities include BDO, Deloitte, DOW, Plante Moran and many more. Learn more about the program.